The people behind the brands people love.
Eight markets and a whole lot of trucks, run by one team that takes the shelf personally.
Our History
Pour by pour, since 2002.
In 2002, Beverage South started as an idea on paper, a partnership between Lee Jackson and Donald Leebern III. Then we got to work. 17+ acquisitions later, we move 20 million cases a year across two states.
Feb 2002
The idea becomes real. Georgia Crown and Triangle Wholesalers join forces.
June 2002
Athens
(Classic City Beverages)
March 2003
Albany
(Better Brands of South Georgia)
March 2003
Rome
(North Georgia Distributing)
Feb 2004
Macon
(Macon Beverage Co.)
March 2004
Augusta
(Beverage South, LLC)
Nov 2004
Griffin
(Jackson Beverages)
Nov 2005
Aiken, SC
(Aiken Produce Company)
Dec 2005
Columbia, SC
(Yahnis Distributing)
Oct 2007
Columbia, SC
(Capital Wine & Beverage)
Oct 2012
Albany
(Flint Beverage Co.)
Dec 2012
LaGrange
(Gusto Brands)
Dec 2021
Macon
(Mid-Georgia Sales)
May 2023
Columbus
(Triangle Wholesalers)
Why Us
What you can count on.
You’ll see it in three places, every day:
01
Execution at the shelf.
Resets, displays, cold space. We do the work that moves cases.
02
Showing up for retailers.
Your rep knows your store, your traffic, and what sells on your block. When something new drops, you hear it from a person.
03
Relationships that outlast the deal.
Our objective is to be your preferred supplier and to offer the best portfolio to add profits to your bottom line.
Leadership
Meet the team.
J. Lee Jackson
President & Co-Owner
J. Lee Jackson
President & Co-Owner
Mr. Jackson has owned and successfully operated beer distributorships for over 30 years. As well as his current duties of President of J&L, he also runs the day-to-day business at Triangle Wholesalers in Columbus, Ga. Mr. Jackson is a past member of the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association board of directors and has been the recipient of numerous supplier awards throughout the years.
Donald M. Leebern, III
Chairman & Co-Owner
Donald M. Leebern, III
Chairman & Co-Owner
Mr. Leebern has been in the beverage industry for over 25 years. He is the President and Owner of Georgia Crown, Alabama Crown, and Tennessee Crown Distributing Companies. He is well respected within the industry, holding board positions on several industry associations. Mr. Leebern is a past member of Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association board of directors.
Jean Stanley
Chief Financial Officer
Jean Stanley
Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Stanley has been affiliated with the beer industry for the past 32 years. Prior to joining J&L in 2003, Ms. Stanley was the Vice President of Finance for North Georgia Distributing Company, which was purchased by J&L in 2003. Ms. Stanley is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of several professional financial societies.
Brad Genners
Chief Operating Officer
Brad Genners
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Genners is the Vice President and General Manager of Beverage South. Starting in his family’s beer distributorships, Brad experienced all aspects of each distributor position before progressing to a larger organization. Over the next several years, he served in the roles of Branch Manager, General Manager, VP Sales/Marketing, and President of Distributorships in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. His career has given him extensive experience in market consolidations, acquisitions, and reorganizations as the industry evolved over many years. With this background, as well as experience in non-alcohol and wine/spirits, he possesses the knowledge and expertise to lead the team in the ever changing beer market.
Brian Hupp
Vice President, General Manager
Brian Hupp
Vice President, General Manager
Mr. Hupp has over 25 years’ experience in the Beverage Industry, both on the Supplier and Distributor side. His past positions bring to Beverage South a wealth of exposure to Distributors across the US and best practices that exist in those markets. He has managed multiple facilities and has a vast knowledge of all types of markets in the US. Brian’s knowledge of the beer, wine, and soft drink market will provide us tremendous experience, insight and expertise to lead his team into the future.
Rick Bentley
Vice President, Finance
Rick Bentley
Vice President, Finance
Mr. Bentley has been working within the Beverage Industry for over 33 years. He joined J&L Ventures in 2004 as the Controller. Prior to joining J&L Ventures, Rick worked for over 10 years as the Controller for Better Brands of Atlanta.
Michael Whitley
Vice President, Red Bull/NA
Michael Whitley
Vice President, Red Bull/NA
Mr. Whitley oversees the J & L portfolio of non-alcoholic brands (energy drinks, sodas, juices, water and milk). He began his career with Coca-Cola Enterprises in 1999 as a District Sales Manager in Atlanta, GA and joined J & L in 2006 as the Red Bull Brand Manager. During Mr. Whitley’s tenure he has managed Red Bulls growth, often exceeding the national growth rate on an annual basis. This tremendous growth was a result of successful implementation and execution of multiple retail and consumer programs, as well as successfully managing consolidation efforts. He has also successfully integrated numerous New Age beverages into the existing NA portfolio. With his background, he possesses the insight and experience to lead his team into the future.
Billy Madison
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Billy Madison
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Mr. Madison unknowingly began his career at the age of 18, merchandising for a beer and wine distributorship in Montgomery, AL. before joining the Navy. After returning from deployments to the Middle East, Somalia and Haiti he graduated from Troy University and jumped back into the distribution world. Now with 25+ years of Sales Management experience and leading distributorships in Alabama, Georgia and Oregon, Billy is now responsible for leading the day-to-day sales and distribution operations of Beverage South’s Southern Division, which encompasses 4 companies operating in 71 counties throughout Southern Georgia. Billy has served on the Executive Director’s Committee of the Wine and Spirits Wholesaler Association and has been a member of many trade organizations throughout his career.
Shane Bates
Vice President, Operations & Safety
Shane Bates
Vice President, Operations & Safety
Mr. Bates joined J&L Ventures in 2021. He has over 25 years of beverage distribution and retail sales experience, including several Operations for Gulf Distributing in Alabama (2008-2021), Sales and Operations roles for Cone Distributing in Florida (2003-2008), and Retail Operations for Eckerd Drugs (1998-2002).
Corinne Christian
VP National Accounts
Corinne Christian
VP National Accounts
Good To Know
FAQ.
What does Beverage South do?
Beverage South is a beverage distributor. We market, sell, and deliver brands to stores, restaurants, and bars across Georgia and South Carolina.
Where is Beverage South located?
We run 8 markets across Georgia and South Carolina, covering 142 counties.
Is Beverage South the same as J&L Ventures?
Yes. J&L Ventures, LLC is the legal company. Beverage South is the brand you see on the trucks.
How long has Beverage South been in business?
Since 2002.